U.S. patent number 3,988,520 [Application Number 05/619,601] was granted by the patent office on 1976-10-26 for three dimensional image reproduction.
Invention is credited to Marlene A. Riddle.
United States Patent |
3,988,520 |
Riddle |
October 26, 1976 |
Three dimensional image reproduction
Abstract
A three dimensional reproduction of an object is made by
photographing the object at predetermined intervals by rotating the
camera in a fixed plane 180.degree. about a fixed axis which is at
right angles to the plane of rotation. Each photograph is divided
at a point perpendicular to the photograph and along the axis of
rotation. Each photograph is then embedded in or affixed to a wedge
shaped carvable material, the angle of the wedges being the same as
the angle of rotation between photographs. The wedges are fitted
together such that the dissected portions of each photograph meet
each other at the common axis in a linear plane, and all wedges,
when fitted together, form a 360.degree. circle. The outlines of
the photographed article in the composite of wedges represent
substantially a three dimensional reproduction of the article. Each
wedge, when carved along the outline, represented by the
photograph, thus produces a substantially accurate three
dimensional reproduction of the image photographed.
Inventors: |
Riddle; Marlene A. (West
Jordan, UT) |
Family
ID: |
24482579 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/619,601 |
Filed: |
October 6, 1975 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/15; 156/59;
430/951; 156/58; 430/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44C
3/042 (20130101); B44F 7/00 (20130101); G03F
7/0037 (20130101); Y10S 430/152 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B44F
7/00 (20060101); B44C 3/00 (20060101); B44C
3/04 (20060101); G03F 7/00 (20060101); B44C
003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;96/4X,41,27 ;156/58,59
;428/15 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Whitby; Edward G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Criddle, Thorpe & Western
Claims
I claim:
1. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
which comprises steps of:
a. photographing the image at specified angles of rotation over
180.degree. in a fixed plane about a fixed axis,
b. dividing the photographs thus obtained at the axis of rotation
into two separate parts,
c. affixing each part of the divided photograph to a wedge shaped
carvable material such that the side of the photograph forming the
axis of rotation is at the pointed edge of the wedge, the angle of
the wedge being the same as the angle of rotation between
photographs, the wedge being made of such material that the outline
of the photographed image is visible therein,
d. assembling each wedge into place so that the points of the
wedges meet at a common axis of rotation and the divided
photographs meet in a linear plane such that a 360.degree.
representation in outline form of the image is presented in the
assembled wedges, and
e. carving each wedge along the outline of the photograph contained
therein to obtain a three-dimensional reproduction of the image
photographed.
2. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 1 wherein the carvable material is selected from
the group consisting of wax, wax-polymer mixtures and polymers.
3. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 2 wherein the angle of rotation between
photographs is between one and ten degrees.
4. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 3 wherein the photographs are enlarged prior to
being affixed to the carvable material.
5. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 3 wherein the photographs are reduced in size
prior to being affixed to the carvable material.
6. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 3 wherein the photographs are embedded into the
carvable material.
7. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 3 wherein adjacent wedges are secured to each
other by a sealing means.
8. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 7 wherein the carvable material is a plastic and
the sealing means is a transparent glue.
9. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 6 wherein the carvable material is a wax
containing mixture and the wedges are heat sealed together.
10. A method for the three dimensional reproduction of an image
according to claim 3 wherein the carved three dimensional image is
used as a means for making a mold whereby further reproductions of
the image may be made.
11. A three dimensional image produced by the method of claim 3.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the three dimensional reproduction of an
object or image. More particularly, this invention relates to a
three dimensional reproduction of an object or image made by
photographing the image at various angles about a common axis of
rotation and through an assemblage of said photographs affixed to
or embedded in a carvable material. A three dimensional object is
outlined which may be carved along the outlines of the photograph
in each wedge to produce a substantially three dimensional
reproduction of the photographed object.
It is often the goal of sculptures, artists, designers, engineers,
and other professions in both the arts and sciences, to reproduce
as nearly as possible, a three dimensional image of both animate
and inanimate objects. Such reproductions are often laborious and
inexact, and result in a product that is often quite dissimilar
from the original. For example, a sculpture may reflect the
sculpturer's personal tastes and/or bias rather than producing an
exact reproduction of the person or image being recreated.
Oftentimes, an object having irregular surfaces is extremely
difficult, if not impossible, to produce in three dimensional
form.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a
method for reproducing an object in three dimensional form.
It is also an object of the invention to reproduce an object in
three dimensional form which is a substantially exact reproduction
of the original object.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
process for preparing an object in three dimensional form by the
use of photography.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an
object in three dimensional form and the process for preparing such
object by the use of photographic images which are affixed to or
embedded in wedge shaped pieces which, when fit together, form a
substantially complete outline of the object being reproduced. Each
wedge can then be cut or carved along the outlines of the
photographic images to reproduce the desired object.
The principal features of this invention include a three
dimensional reproduction of an object and the method for
accomplishing this, wherein the object to be reproduced is
photographed at fixed intervals around 180.degree. of a fixed axis.
Each photograph is taken at the same distance from the axis and the
degree of rotation of the camera between the taking of pictures is
predetermined. The composite of pictures thus taken will present in
outlined form the complete outer surface of the object being
photographed.
The photograph used may be either a positive print or a negative
and is divided perpendicular to the plane of the photograph at a
point which would dissect the axis. Each portion of the photograph
is attached to or embedded into a wedge shaped carvable material,
i.e., wax or a soft plastic. The angle of each wedge is equal to
the angle or number of degrees of rotation the camera was moved in
taking each picture. Thus, if the camera was moved one degree for
each picture taken, there would be 360 wedges to fit together, or
in the alternative, if a photograph was taken every 10.degree. of
rotation there would be only 36 wedges to fit together. Preferably,
the angle of rotation between photographs will be from 1 to
10.degree.. The point of each wedge joins together at the axis of
rotation and the sides of each divided photograph fit together in a
linear plane. When all of the wedges are placed together, a three
dimensional image in outlined form is obtained embedded in the
wedged pieces which may be in the form of a cylinder or sphere. The
outline of the profile in each wedge is then carved by hand or
mechanical means, and after the outline in each wedge has been cut,
a three dimensional image, which is essentially an exact
reproduction of the original, will be reproduced. The image thus
produced can then be further carved, smoothed, or refinished to
reproduce a more exact likeness of the original image and then be
used as the final product or as a means for making a mold whereby
further reproductions can be made.
The novel features of this invention, both as to the manner of
construction or organization of the wedges, as well as the manner
of cutting or carving the figure, will be better understood with
reference to the following description and drawings. It is to be
understood, however, that the description and drawings are for the
purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be a
definition as to the scope of the invention.
DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image to be photographed showing
the axis of rotation and the plane of rotation of the camera around
the image.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the image thus photographed
embedded in a transparent wedge shaped material and divided into
two pieces.
FIG. 2a is a top plan view of FIG. 2 wherein the wedge shaped
pieces meet at a common axis.
FIG. 3 is a front angular elevational view of the figures shown in
FIG. 1 rotated 45.degree. and divided into wedge form.
FIG. 3a is a top plan view of a combination of the wedges made up
of FIGS. 2 and 3, meeting at a common axis.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the image shown in FIG. 1
rotated 90.degree. and divided into wedges.
FIG. 4a is a top plan view of a combination of the wedges shown in
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, meeting at a common axis.
FIG. 5 is a rear angular view of the image shown in FIG. 2 rotated
135.degree. and divided into wedges.
FIG. 5a is a top plan view of the wedges shown in FIGS. 2 through
5, meeting at a common axis.
FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the image shown in FIG. 2
rotated 180.degree..
FIG. 6a is a top plan view of a combination of the wedges
illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 6, all meeting at a common axis.
FIG. 7 is a representation of a completely fitted together wedged
cylinder containing a completed circle of photographic outlines of
the images to be reproduced.
FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway view of the image embedded in FIG. 7,
illustrating how the outline in each wedge can be carved to
reproduce a three dimensional image.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings:
There is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of an image 10 having
an axis or fixed location about which camera 12 will rotate. As
illustrated, camera 12 will rotate about a fixed horizontal plane
13 around a 180.degree. angle. The distance from axis 11 to lens of
camera 12 will remain constant. Camera 12 may be either a movie
camera which would take pictures at a constant rate during the
180.degree. rotation; on the other hand, the camera could be
"still" camera wherein a picture could be taken after every so many
degrees of rotation. Obviously, the more pictures that are taken
the more accurate will be the reproduction in the finished product.
Each picture taken will represent in profile a photograph at the
particular angle at which the picture is taken. For purposes of
this invention, the photograph can be used in either a positive or
negative image form. It can be seen that upon a 180.degree.
rotation, a complete outline in profile of the image being
photographed will be obtained. Although the invention as described
presumes the taking of pictures around a 180.degree. angle, it will
be at once obvious that pictures could be taken around a
360.degree. angle, and like profiles, superimposed upon each other,
i.e., profiles taken at 180.degree. angles. If desired, only
one-half of a profile taken from a 360.degree. angle of rotation
could be used by selecting either the right side or left side of
the profile as divided at the axis line as will be hereinafter
described. What is important to the invention is that a complete
profile outline of the object being photographed be obtained with a
sufficient number of photographs so that when put together as
hereinafter described, a substantially complete three dimensional
image will be visible for reproduction. Obviously, the closer
together the photographs are the more accurate the reproduction
will be.
FIGS. 2 and 6 show photographs of profiles taken at 45.degree.
intervals. These are for purposes of illustration only as it is at
once obvious that photographs would be taken much more closely
together than as illustrated in the Figures. As illustrated in each
of FIGS. 2 through 6, a complete profile of image 10 is formed in
either positive or negative form and the photograph is divided
along axis 11 into two parts 14 and 15. Each side of the photograph
14 and 15 is then affixed to or embedded in a wedge shaped piece of
carvable material such that the edge of a photograph along axis
line 11 exactly meets the pointed edge of the wedge to which it is
affixed. The wedge shaped material may be a carvable material which
is either sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow a
visible detection of the outline of each photograph affixed
thereto, or if desired, the photograph may be laminated or embedded
into said material. If the outline is being electronically,
magnetically or otherwise traced, the material is of such a nature
that the outline can be traced and recorded by coded signals.
Preferably, materials used will be plasticized polymers, waxes or
wax polymer mixtures, which can be readily carved, but of which are
of sufficient hardness to maintain their shape.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 6, each portion of the photograph
14 and 15 as divided along axis 11 is embedded into a wedge shaped
piece designated as A and A' for FIG. 2 through E and E' for FIG.
6. Each wedge shaped piece will be fit together as illustrated in
FIGS. 2a through 6a. Each photographic profile, separated into
sections 14 and 15, will be aligned as shown in FIG. 2a which is a
top view illustrating a photograph divided into sections 14 and 15
and meeting at axis 11. FIG. 3a is a combination of wedges A and A'
and B and B', separated at 45.degree. angles meeting at axis 11.
FIG. 4a likewise is a combination of wedges A and A', B and B' and
C and C', all of which are at 45.degree. angles from each other.
FIG. 5a is a representation of wedges A and A' through D and D',
showing a complete profile at 45.degree. angles, and FIG. 6a is a
representation completing a 180.degree. representation of profiles
as illustrated by wedges A and A' through E and E'. It will be
noted that wedges A and E' can be the same with the photographs
superimposed on each other since they are taken at 180.degree.
angles. Likewise, wedge E and A' can be the same as illustrated in
the drawings. A and A' represent a front elevational view of a
facial image wherein wedges E and E' represent a back view of the
head of the image being photographed.
FIG. 7 illustrates a completed cylinder of wedged forms, however,
the wedges as illustrated are not indicative of the number of
wedges that would be utilized in the preferred embodiment of the
invention. This, of course, would depend entirely upon the size of
the image to be reproduced, and how thin the wedges can be at the
axis 11. Obviously, the point of the wedge at axis 11 need be no
bigger than the thickness of the photograph. In a preferred
embodiment, at the point of outine or carvable surface, the wedges
may be on the order of from about 1/32 to 1/4 inch apart, again
depending upon the size of the article being reproduced. This data
can be translated by one having ordinary skill in the art into
degrees of rotation. The wedges may be laminated or glued together
by means known in the art. For example, there are many glues
specific to various types of plastics. On the other hand, waxes or
wax polymers may be heat sealed or fused together.
Once the image has been completely embedded into wedge shaped
pieces, and fitted together to form a cylinder or the like, it is
then ready to be reproduced by cutting, carving, sanding or
whatever type of cutting action is deemed to be necessary. The
wedges can be cut separately or several wedges can be cut at a
time. If desired, each wedge can be cut to the outline of the
photograph before being fit together. The particular type of
knives, cutters, tools, etc. used in cutting each wedge to the
outline of the photograph is not a limiting factor to the present
invention. Obviously, the operation may be carried out by hand or
by the use of mechanical means such as sanders, drills, planes, and
the like.
It is also possible that the operation may be computerized by
plotting the outline on each wedge on an x y coordinate and
designing a computer program which will then actuate cutting means
to cut each wedge along the outline thereby forming a reproduction
of the image as has been described.
FIG. 8 is a representation of a partially carved away series of
wedges exposing a portion of the image 10a which is a reproduction
of image 10 as photographed.
It is obvious that once a complete image has been obtained by
cutting each wedge along the outline, a perfect reproduction of the
image will still not be obtained and the further apart the
photographed portions are, the less accurate will be the
reproduction. However, the likeness will be more exact than can be
obtained by "freehand" means and can then be retouched or
refinished to reproduce a substantially exact replica of the
original image photographed.
It will also be obvious that many uses can be made of such a
reproduction. For example, the reproduction itself can be coated or
painted, or in the alternative, may be used as a model from which
to make a mold to cast other reproductions in plastic, metal, or
other molten or liquid material.
One distinct advantage of the present invention is that exact
reproduction can be made in substantially any size. For example,
photographs can be taken and then enlarged or made smaller to
reproduce an image which will be either larger or smaller than the
original object photographed. Such reproductions can be invaluable
in the study of anatomy or in the reproduction of inanimate objects
such as gems, crystal formations and the like. On the other hand,
reduced images of larger objects can also be reproduced on the
smaller scale.
Although the invention as has been described is deemed to be that
which would form the preferred embodiment, it is recognized that
departures may be made therefrom without departing from the scope
of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details
disclosed, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as
to include any and all equivalent devices, procedures and
apparatus.
* * * * *